Photo: Publichall · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Elkhart than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkhart gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #80 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 82 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Elkhart’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elkhart faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Elkhart’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elkhart, and Elkhart’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A #80 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elkhart’s residents live in 21 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Elkhart has less expected damage per building than 87% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.7M a year in losses across Elkhart: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elkhart flood? Sometimes: 82 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elkhart, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Elkhart isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Elkhart County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elkhart
Disasters that paid out in Elkhart itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elkhart), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding474 households applied for aid$739K aid approved$47K to the City of Elkhart for repairs35 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding137 households applied for aid$110K aid approved$348K to the City of Elkhart for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Snow$54K to the City of Elkhart for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Snow$52K to the City of Elkhart for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$50K to the City of Elkhart for repairs
Elkhart County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Elkhart after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elkhart archive →Elkhart and its neighbors
Elkhart is 6th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simonton Lake | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Baugo Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Dunlap | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Concord Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 160 |
| Elkhart | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Elkhart faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Elkhart
Is Elkhart at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkhart has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #80 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elkhart flood?
Flood insurance has paid 82 claims in Elkhart since 1978, $626K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Elkhart in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Elkhart County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elkhart?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elkhart’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Elkhart?
By FEMA money that reached Elkhart, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): 474 households applied for aid, $739K approved, and $47K to the City of Elkhart for repairs.
Is Elkhart at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Elkhart’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elkhart.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elkhart’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.